Special Service and Features
International Women’s Day celebrated at CSIR Campus, Chennai
DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality was the theme for InternationalWomen’s Day 2023.
The programme was compered by Dr Prabha. A skit was enacted by various members ofCSIR-SERC and other CSIR units from the CMC Madras Complex titled “Naari Shakti”. This was followed by a dynamic theme dance on women empowerment performed by M.Tech students and songs rendered by women staff and contract staff members. A presentation on “Take pride in how far you have come, and have faith in how far you can go”by Dr Smitha Gopinath, Chairperson – International Women’s Day celebration committee2023 & Principal Scientist, CSIR-SERC based on the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day – DigitALL Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” the theme for this year as announced by the United Nations was given. The presentation showcased the work done towards gender equality and work that is yet to be done to improve on achieving this goal of gender equality with the help of innovation and technology. Thus she concluded that gender equality is also about the opportunities presented and provision of equal opportunity to all.
In her welcome address Dr  N. Anandavalli, Director, CSIR-SERC and CoordinatingDirector, CMC, in her opening remarks said it’s a day that serves as a “reminder of the perseverance of the strength of the mind of women all across the world” and thus celebrationof the day is necessary. Reiterating the idea put forth by Dr Smitha, the Director said that digital technology and innovation for gender equality is a must and that “women are the real architects of this society because as we see they don’t build only for themselves but for thewhole community.” The elucidated the contribution of women to society starts in a very small way such as in segregating waste, reuse of products, recycling, etc and continues to taking up responsible positions in STEM fields. Citing examples of exemplary women such as Dr Anandibai Joshi , Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy  and Saalumarada Thimmakka , Dr Anandavalli said, in conclusion, that it is possible for women to take up leadership roles and challenges, however unconventional they may be, even though there are setbacks and reach goals which are ultimate.
This was followed by felicitation of the chief guest and introduction by Dr A. Mercy Latha, Principal Scientist, CSIR-CEERI. Chief Guest of the day, Smt S. Madhumathi, I.A.S., Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation  delivered a lecture the gathering on the fact that women achievers work hard to contribute and that they needed encouragement and support from all be it colleagues, family or friends.
She stressed that women don’t take shortcuts to reach their goals but work hard and put up with many obstacles and so women must take “my time” to take care of their health and also to ponder upon problems that women face and ways to overcome them. She also stressed that women should become financially aware and learn to save for the future.
The programme concluded with awarding of memento to the chief guest and distribution of prizes to the winners of the several competitions held in connection with the women’s day celebration. The participants were all the women of the CSIR campus including the project staff, contract staff and research students. Vote of thanks was delivered by Smt. V. Sridevi, Assistant Section Officer, CSIR-CMC, according to a press Release issued by CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre.